Rookies Taphouse and Eatery — Restaurant in Fountain

Mediocre experience to be honest but based on the other reviews, it seems like that’s the norm. Came in on a Sunday around 11:15am with 4 adults/2 children/a baby and were seated right away since there were plenty of open tables and it was not busy as far as table seating (I think there were only 3 tables at the time, not including the bar). They sat 2 tables of 2 people each next to us after we were seated and both of those tables were attended to prior to anyone even coming to get our drink order. The only reason we even got a drink order done after about 10 minutes was because I caught the eye of one of the servers and she came over to let us know that the other server would be with us shortly and then probably noticed my annoyance and took our drink orders, which she did not get correct but we didn’t complain. The staff was all very nice but service was extremely slow, and I tried to account for the fact that despite there being 2 other servers outside of the bartender, the server who took our order was also bartending, which didn’t make sense that she’d be waitressing given the actual wait staff also working at the time. There were also two younger employees who helped seat tables and run food out to tables when it was ready.

The food was good and I feel like the portions are great so there are no complaints there. If I had another day where I have an hour and a half to sit and wait for a grilled cheese and iced tea again, I’d be back (not exaggerating, we didn’t leave until 12:45pm).

When it came to getting our checks to leave, the checks both included a “large party” mandatory 20% gratuity on them…I’ve worked in the service industry for 15 years and I’ve never seen a table of 6 (2 of which being children, and the baby doesn’t count as they were in their carrier asleep) with no alcohol ordered be charged a large party tab so this was extremely surprising and honestly ridiculous, but considering the poor service I guess that’s how they are ensuring they’re getting tipped? Again, working in the industry I always tip and try to account for the factors that could have made the service slow or bad but when you’re trying to close out and the server comes over to ask if you need anything else and as you’re speaking to her to ask for a couple of boxes and to hand her the card she literally walks off without acknowledging you’re still talking or even what you asked (she came back after a few minutes and had no idea what we asked), it’s really just the service at that point.

Like I said, staff is nice, food was good but the service is less than desirable and the automatic 20% tip factored into our check was a...

Ok, the place is new, so some parts of this review should be taken with a grain of salt. There are definitely kinks to worked out...

"Taphouse" is in the name, but 15 beers and 1 cider barely qualifies by Colorado standards. However, the bartenders were friendly and offered a tasty suggestion for my husband and I, so gold star there!

We came around dinner rush and expected to wait, but as previous reviews mentioned, you will wait about 20-30 minutes to be sat (not a deal breaker on a busy Thursday) but then you should expect to wait an additional 15-20 minutes to get served and upwards 45-60 minutes for food to arrive. We hung in there as they are very new and it was peak dinner time, but several tables did walk out.

We ordered green chili hushpuppies, which were overall the tastiest part of our meal, even though a couple of the puppies were still a bit raw in the center. Runny cornmeal aside (new staff/menu!) I wouldn't mind having these again. The grilled cheese sandwiches are highlighted on the menu, and with various options/ toppings/ bread selections, this could absolutely be a winner. However, it fell flat. I ordered a basic 3cheese on sourdough and added tomato (careful! Adding even basic ingredients will add $1.50 a pop!), with a side of tater tots. My husband ordered a pulled pork with green chili grilled cheese, with a side of fried red potatoes. Both sandwiches were advertised to come with a side of tomato soup to dip in, but neither actually showed up with that part. The sandwiches weren't bad, but also very meh. Mine felt very much like I ordered off of the kids meal, while my husband's was a slight upgrade. My tater tots were Ore Ida tots (that you and I buy from king soopers) and weren't seasoned to anything special. My husband's red potatoes had a bit more flavor but were also cold. After 4 beers, the bill came to $54, before tip.

I will say, the building is well done and the servers were very friendly. Again, it's very new, so the wait times and food prep will naturally improve, however I am skeptical that the actual menu items will ever impress.

If you read this review and still decide to go, I'd like to ask that you are kind to the servers. They are clearly trying and are just as frustrated as you. It broke our hearts to see more than a couple end up in tears....

For now, I'd skip this joint and give them some time to work on...

So I am writing this as I reach the hour plus mark waiting for our food. So I took time to read the reviews from others while I wait. Looks like employees are writing 5 star reviews as my experience is that of all the 1 and 2 star ones. So music way too loud, had to shout at the waitress just for her to understand me. She had to stand right next to me to talk to me. Music was eventually turned down, only to have it get turned back up again. This dance happened several times so far, food still not here... waitress is ok, she is trying her best despite her management setting her up for failure. Another table just paid and left, they were seat well after us by the way. That brings to total to 5 tables now that were seated after us, got served and paid while we are still here. My young son was getting stir crazy and hungry so I walked to the snack shack and got him food so he can eat. Music back up again, can’t even hear my son scream it’s so loud. They brought out a second round of appetizers, but entrees still not here. Offered some drinks but suspect, based off other reviews we will find them on our tab anyway. I’m placing a Dominos order to be delivered here and I suspect it will get here sooner than our food. Waitress is apologizing again, she is great. Management needs to seriously pull their heads out of you know where, also tap house with 6 beers on tap? WOW this place has a lot of potential but poorly executed by owner and management. Pizza is on its way now, so let’s see what I’ll be eating out on the patio. Arrived with sun in the sky, now the sun is setting and our dominos driver is on his way from across the street. Long story short, do yourselves a favor and don’t eat here. I get that places get busy but this is ridiculous and pathetic. Waitress and the Snack Shack next door are redeeming qualities to the place that could have been something great. Place is clearing out and no food yet. 7 tables seated after us and left before our food was even put in. Pizza guy just got here, waitress got a tip and I’m eating pizza on their patio. Cause now I wait for the bill for our drinks. Let’s see how long...